Device for uv-led liquid monitoring and treatment

ABSTRACT

A liquid treatment device includes a base with a power source, a UV-LED module for providing UV-B or UV-C light to liquid, an LED for providing visible light, and a processor for selectively powering the UV-LED module and the LED, and having a UV transmissive material above the UV-LED module for allowing the UV-B or UV-C band light from the UV-LED module to be transmitted from the base housing, and a liquid storage housing removably coupled to the base housing with a storage portion configured to hold liquid and having a bottom portion comprising a UV transmissive material for allowing the UV-B or UV-C band light from the UV-LED module to be transmitted into the liquid, and an output coupled for restricting outflow of the liquid from the storage portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of, claims priority to and thebenefit of, U.S. Ser. No. 15/625,986 filed Jun. 16, 2017 entitled“DEVICE FOR UV-LED LIQUID MONITORING AND TREATMENT.” The '986 is acontinuation-in-part of, claims priority to and the benefit of, U.S.Ser. No. 15/462,721 filed Mar. 17, 2017 entitled “DEVICE FOR UV-LEDLIQUID MONITORING AND TREATMENT.” The '721 is a continuation-in-part of,claims priority to and the benefit of, U.S. Ser. No. 14/672,077 filedMar. 27, 2015 entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR UV-LED LIQUID MONITORINGAND DISINFECTION” (aka U.S. Pat. No. 10,214,431 issued Feb. 26, 2019).The '986 application also claims priority to Chinese Utility ModelApplication No. 2016206839626 filed Jun. 30, 2016. All of theseapplications are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to liquid monitoring. More specifically,embodiments of the present invention relate to a UV-LED liquidmonitoring and purification systems and methods of operation.

Water suppliers periodically monitor water quality at centralizedlocations, such as water treatment plants, pump stations, and the like.The periodic testing is used to check whether the provided water meetscertain health quality standards.

The inventors of the present invention believe that there are drawbacksto centralized testing systems including that water delivered to the endpoint (consumer), e.g. home, apartment, factory, or the like, may nothave the same quality as provided by the supplier. Reasons for thisdeterioration in quality may include contamination within thedistribution network (e.g. leaky pipes, pollution, sewage contamination,etc.); contamination within an end point (e.g. leaky pipes within afactory, chemicals leached from pipes, etc.); and the like. Anotherdrawback is believed to be because water quality is not always monitoredin real-time, contaminated water may be provided to consumers for sometime, before the contamination is discovered.

From the above, it is desired to have a distributed water qualitymonitoring and treatment system without the drawbacks described above.

SUMMARY

The present invention relates to liquid treatment. More specifically,embodiments of the present invention relate to a UV-LED liquid treatmentdevice and methods of operation. In various embodiments, the liquid maybe water (e.g. tap water, bottled water, etc.), a fruit juice (e.g.orange juice, apple juice, cranberry juice, etc.), an electrolyte (e.g.Gatorade, etc.), a flavored water (e.g. soda, etc.), a soup base, milk(e.g. human, cow, soy, almond) or the like. For sake of convenience,embodiments described herein are directed to water, however, it shouldbe understood that many other types of liquid may be treated, asdescribed herein.

Various embodiments of the present invention include a waterpurification device (e.g. a water bottle, a water dispenser, an in-housewater treatment system, or the like) that uses a combination ofultraviolet LEDs to kill bacteria, viruses, and spores in the incomingwater. Optionally, the system includes TiO2 (Titanium Dioxide), or H2O2(Hydrogen peroxide) to work with UV LEDs to purify water via productionof reactive oxygen species via a photo catalytic oxidation process. Ingeneral, it is contemplated that unsanitary water may include water ofunknown-safety, pathogen-bearing water, or other types of liquid that ifconsumed by a human (or other animal) could cause illness and/or death.Additionally, the unsanitary water may also include one or morechemicals (e.g. metals, volatile organic chemicals and pesticides).

In various embodiments, a system may include some or all of thefollowing elements: a) water analysis module, b) a physical/chemicalwater treatment portion, c) a UV treatment portion, d) a reservoirportion d) a communication portion, e) a filtration module, f) batterymodule and g) driver electronics. Some systems are used to monitor andtreat water incoming to a residence, facility, or the like (e.g. watertreatment unit), or treat water prior to consumption or use (e.g. waterpitcher or a water bottle). In some embodiments, water quality analysisis performed upon incoming water to a user. The water quality may beanalyzed for chemical contaminants and/or pathogens; the water qualitymay be analyzed for optical transparency and/or optical absorption; thewater quality may be analyzed for optical spectroscopy and/orflorescence spectroscopy. In various embodiments, the water quality mayalso be analyzed before and after treatment. Water purification may beperformed upon the water. The purification may include filtering ofsuspended particulates, removal or break down of chemical impurities,and/or destruction of pathogens (e.g. bacterial or viral). In some casesthe purification may be tailored to the impurities that were justdetermined. In various embodiments, an additional analysis may beperformed upon the purified water. The initial analysis of the incomingwater and/or the final analysis of the treated water may be sent via thecommunication portion to a centralized reporting server, e.g. the waterprovider, a governmental agency, or other third party monitoring agency.

In various embodiments, a communication portion may include acommunication system based upon Bluetooth, WiFi, 4G, 3G, NFC, RF,Ethernet, or the like. The communication portion may directlycommunicate to a cloud-based reporting server via WiFi, 4G, 3G,Ethernet, or the like. In other embodiments, the communication portioncommunicates via Bluetooth, NFC, IR, ZigBee or other rf protocol to asmart device (e.g. smart phone, home PC, smart watch, home server, orthe like) having one or more specialized software applications runningthereon. In various embodiments, the water data may be stored within theapplications, processed and viewed by the user on the smart device. Forexample, the user may see time trends in the water turbidity, the typesof contaminants detected in the water, and the like. In someembodiments, the data may automatically or manually uploaded to thecentralized reporting server from the application. For example, theuser's application may periodically upload the water quality datacaptured, as described herein.

In various embodiments, a centralized reporting server receives andstores water quality reports from a multitude of users in real-time ornon-real time. Based upon the real-time and/or non-real time data andbased upon knowledge of the water distribution network, near-real timeidentification of water quality problems may be determined. Causes forthe water quality problems may then be investigated, and fixes to thedistribution network, modifications to the outgoing water treatment, andother actions may be taken. Further, based upon knowledge of the waterdistribution network and the water quality reports, over time, trends inwater quality may be determined. Based upon the trends, a water providermay change its water purification procedures (e.g. add additionalchemical removal steps); may determine water branches having unusualcontaminants, inspect the water branches, and/or repair faulty waterbranches; may shut-off water provided to specific branches or shut-offwater from specific sources when contaminants exceed the purificationcapabilities; may modify conditions around aquifers and other watersources, and the like.

According to one aspect of the invention, a water treatment device isdisclosed. One apparatus includes a base housing having a power source,a UV-LED module electrically coupled to the power source, wherein theUV-LED module is configured to provide UV-C band light, a plurality ofLEDs electrically coupled to the power source, wherein the plurality ofLEDs are configured to provide visible light, and a processorelectrically coupled to the power source, the UV-LED module, and to theplurality of LEDs, wherein the processor is configured to specifyparameters for power from the power source to the UV-LED module to thepower source, wherein the processor is configured to specify parametersfor power from the power source to the plurality of LEDs. A system mayinclude a visual indicator portion disposed on a first top portion thebase housing and optically coupled to the plurality of LEDs, wherein thevisual indicator portion is configured to receive the visible light fromthe plurality of LEDs and is configured to provide at least a portion ofthe visible light outwards in a radial direction, a first physicalcoupling structure disposed on a second top portion of the base housing,and a first transmissive material disposed on a third top portion of thebase housing above the UV-LED module, wherein the first transmissivematerial is configured to allow the UV-C band light from the UV-LEDmodule to be transmitted upward from the base housing. A device mayinclude a water storage housing removably coupled to the base housingincluding: a sidewall structure configured to radially confine waterstored within the water storage housing, a second physical couplingstructure disposed on a bottom portion of the sidewall structure,wherein the first physical coupling structure and the second physicalcoupling structure are together configured to allow the water storagehousing to be removably coupled to the base housing, and an upperopening configured to provide input and output of water from the waterstorage housing.

According to another aspect of the invention, a water treatment deviceis disclosed. One apparatus may include a base housing having: abattery, a UV-LED module coupled to the battery and configured toprovide UV-C band light in response to first power parameters during aUV sterilization process, a plurality of LEDs coupled to the battery andconfigured to provide visible light in response to second powerparameters, and a controller coupled to the battery, the UV-LED module,and the plurality of LEDs, wherein the processor is configured tospecify the second power parameters to the plurality of LEDs andconfigured to specify the first power parameters during the UVsterilization process. A device may include a translucent ring ofmaterial disposed upon a first top portion the base housing, wherein thevisual translucent ring is configured to receive the visible light fromthe plurality of LEDs and is configured to provide at least a portion ofthe visible light outwards in a radial direction, a first couplingstructure disposed above the translucent ring, and a first transmissivematerial disposed on a second top portion of the base housing above theUV-LED module, wherein the first transmissive material is configured toallow the UV-C band light from the UV-LED module to be transmittedupward from the UV-LED module. A system may also include a water storagehousing removably coupled to the base housing having: a sidewallstructure configured to radially confine water within the water storagehousing, a second coupling structure disposed on a bottom portion of thesidewall structure, wherein the first coupling structure is configuredto be removably coupled to the second coupling structure to therebycreate a water-tight seal between the water storage housing and the basehousing, and a translucent material disposed upon an upper opening ofthe water storage housing, wherein the translucent material isconfigured to receive the visible light from the plurality of LEDs andis configured to provide at least a portion of the visible lightoutwards in the radial direction.

According to another aspect of the invention, a water monitoring andtreatment module is disclosed. The system may include a case with anopening, and a lid that fits tightly into the opening of the case, wherewhen water is filled into the case and when the lid fits on the case,water does not leak away from the case. In some embodiments, theinterior the case is coated with material that reacts with UV via aphoto catalytic process, such as TiO2 (e.g. P-25 by Degussa, PC 500 byMillennium, or any other material comprising Anatase and/or Rutile). Invarious embodiments, the catalyst may be in the form of a nanoparticle,thin film, microsphere, or the like. The case has may include a region,e.g. on the side, on the top, on the bottom, where a UV fluorescentmaterial is provided. In operation, that UV fluorescent material glowsor emits light in the visible spectrum when the water is under UVirradiation. In some embodiments, other types of indicators may be usedwhen the water is exposed to UV light. In various embodiments, the caseincludes an interior opening a at the bottom, where UV irradiation issupplied by a plurality of UV LEDs located below the bottom of the watercontaining area; the UV LEDs are powered by a battery. The battery istypically coupled to UV LED driver electronics, a communication wirelessmodule, and the like. In some embodiments, the interior of the case hasa photodiode detector placed in the line of sight of the UV-LEDirradiation direction to help determine water clarity, amount of waterpresent, presence of UV irradiation, or the like. In some embodiments,the case also has an electronic display region on the exterior thatindicates the presence of UV irradiation.

Various additional objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention can be more fully appreciated with reference to the detaileddescription and accompanying drawings that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to more fully understand the present invention, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings arenot to be considered limitations in the scope of the invention, thepresently described embodiments and the presently understood best modeof the invention are described with additional detail through use of theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a system diagram of various embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 2A-B illustrate a block diagram of a flow chart according to someembodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A-B illustrate another block diagram of a flow chart according tosome embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of portions of various embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates cross-section of various embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 6A-C illustrate additional embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 7A-B illustrate an example according to various embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example according to various embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example according to various embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 10A-H illustrate embodiments of the present invention;

FIGS. 11A-H illustrate embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 13 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the present invention. Morespecifically, FIG. 1 illustrates a water supplier 100 supplying water110 to water customers 120. Within a typical water customer 130, adevice 140 is provided. In the present example, device 140 includes awater analysis device 150 and a water treatment device 160. As will bediscussed further below, water analysis device 150 can perform animpurity analysis or optical transmittance, or optical absorbanceanalysis on incoming water 110, and water treatment device 160 can treatincoming water 110 and output treated water 170. Water analysis device150 can also perform an impurity analysis or optical transmittance, oroptical absorbance analysis on the treated water 170. If the treatedwater 170 is within predetermined impurity thresholds, it may beprovided to the user, and in some embodiments, if the treated waterexceeds the predetermined impurity thresholds, the treated water 170will not be provided to the user.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1, water customers 120 each havea device 140 installed that performs the analysis and treatmentfunctionality. As shown, each device 140 includes a wired or wirelesscommunication portion 180 which can transmit data via a wide areanetwork 190, back to water supplier 100. In various embodiments, thedata may include an impurity analysis or optical transmittance, oroptical absorbance analysis of the incoming water 110 and/or the treatedwater. As illustrated, the data 200 can be stored in a data store 210associated with water supplier 100. In other embodiments, data store 210may be associated with a third-party not associated with water supplier100, such as a local water control agency, the EPA, a governmental body,a non-governmental organization, a commercial company, a non-profitorganization, or the like.

FIGS. 2A-B illustrate a flow diagram according to various embodiments ofthe present invention. More specifically, FIGS. 2A-B illustrate anexample of a process performed at a typical water customer location,such as water customer 130, in FIG. 1. Initially water is provided towater customer 130, step 300. In other embodiments, water may bereplaced with other fluids, such as gasoline, or other liquid, orbeverage, and the customers may be companies, power plants, or the like.

In various embodiments, when device 140 receives the input water, aninitial analysis can be performed, step 310 (optional). In variousembodiments, one or more UV LEDs (with emission peak wavelength in thespectral range between 210 nm and 280 nm, or between 270 nm and 340 nm,or between 330 nm and 395 nm, or the like) may be used to illuminate theinput water, and one or more optical sensors (such as, a photodiode, aphoto detector, a spectrometer, or the like) may be used to detectresponses to the UV illumination. In some embodiments, UV LEDs beingdeveloped by the assignee of the present invention may be used toilluminate the input water sample with UV light within a range ofwavelengths from about 210 nm to about 365 nm, among other possiblewavelengths, such as 385 nm. The UV LEDs may include some UV LEDs havinga peak at about 280 nm, some UV LEDs having a peak at about 320 nm, orthe like. By having multiple peaks of UV wavelengths, biologicalimpurities having different response characteristics may be determined.For instance, different wavelength LEDs may be individually turned on byusing a LED driver system that can pulse through a combination of UV LEDwavelengths (frequency) peaked from 254 nm, 265 nm, 280 nm, 310 nm to365 nm. For example, viruses may respond to a first UV LED characterizedby a first UV frequency (e.g. fluoresce), bacteria may respond to asecond UV LED characterized by a second UV frequency (e.g. fluoresce),and the like. In various embodiments, biological contaminants mayinclude cryptosporidium, giardia, legionella, coliform, viruses, and thelike.), or in another embodiment, contaminations can be suspended solidsor particles in the water.

In response to the UV illumination, biological impurities may respondwith characteristic responses. For example, pathogens that are exposedto first UV frequency light may reflect the UV frequency light, otherimpurities that are exposed to second UV frequency light may fluoresce,and the like. In some embodiments, the intensity of the responses aswell as the wavelength are recorded.

In various embodiments, other types of testing may be performed upon theinput water to determine chemical impurities (e.g. chlorine, lead,arsenic, organic compounds). For example, it is believed that methodsfor testing levels of lead, arsenic, and other harmful chemicals, arewell-known, and can be used with embodiments of the present invention.

In various embodiments, the wavelengths of the responses to the UVillumination may be correlated to particular biological impurities, andthe intensities may be correlated to the amount/percentage of thebiological impurities. Further, based upon the chemical impurityanalysis, the amount/percentage of the chemical impurities can bedetermined. The amount/percentage of the biological impurities andchemical impurities can then be sent back to the water provider, step320, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

In some embodiments, step 310 may simply include using a UV light sourceto illuminate the water and a UV light detector to determining theturbidity or clarity of the water. In other embodiments, step 320 neednot be performed, or may be performed at a later time.

In FIG. 2A, after step 320, the processes illustrated in FIGS. 3A-B,steps 330, may be performed at the same time or at different times(asynchronously) from the remaining steps in FIGS. 2A-B.

Next, in various embodiments, a dedicated UV disinfection/treatmentprocess may be performed, step 350 and a dedicated filtering process maybe performed (e.g. filtering via an activated charcoal or carbonfilter), step 340. In some embodiments, the UV disinfection or treatmentprocess may also include UV LEDs currently under development by thepresent assignee. For example, UV LEDs having different UV frequencypeaks, e.g. 220 nm, 240 nm, 260 nm, 320 nm, 340 nm, 365 nm, 375 nm, etc.may irradiate the input water. In some embodiments, the power output orintensity of the UV LEDs may be flat across the desired UV frequencyrange. In other embodiments, the power output of the UV LEDs may dependupon the type of biological contaminants that were determined in step310, above. For example, if only viruses are determined, only UV LEDshaving a peak of about 254 nm may be activated in step 350.

In some embodiments, in step 350 UV irradiation of the water, or liquid,may be performed in conjunction with a catalyst, such as TiO2, asmentioned above. TiO2 is selected as a catalyst because it is non-toxic,stable, has no smell, is not soluble in water, but reacts strongly withUV light. In such embodiments, UV illumination in the UV-A bans mayirradiate an inner surface, or other element in the water that has acoating of TiO2. In response to the UV-A (from about 250 to about 400,especially around 340 nm) irradiation, the TiO2 will produce one or morewater byproducts, such as reactive oxygen species. It is expected thatmany pathogens (e.g. viruses, bacteria, fungi, algae, cancer, E. coli,etc.) and harmful chemicals (e.g. antibiotics, artificial dies,pesticides, herbicides, pharmaceuticals, etc.) that are exposed toactive oxygen species will be neutralized. In light of the abovedisclosure, other catalysts can be used and are considered within thescope of embodiments of the present invention.

In various embodiments, the dedicated filtering process of step 340 maybe non-selective and not dependent upon the types of chemical impuritiesdetermined in step 310, above. For example, the filtering process mayinclude activated charcoal to absorb any chlorine or organic compound inthe input water.

In various embodiments, step 340 or a similar step may be performedprior to step 310. In such embodiments, for example, characterization(UV, white light, etc.) of the water is performed after filtering outcertain contaminants, impurities, suspended particles, or the like.These particles may inhibit the use of UV light for decontaminationpurposes, accordingly, filtering out of particulates may be performedprior to characterization. In such embodiments, step 310 may determinewhether the water can be treated by UV light, or whether the water istoo cloudy. If the water is too cloudy, the UV disinfection/treatment instep 350 may not be effective. Accordingly, if the water is too cloudy,in step 380 etc., below, the water may be deemed unfit for disinfection,treatment and for consumption (or other use), step 420.

In various embodiments, the treated water can again be tested forbiological and/or chemical impurities, step 360. This step may beperformed with the same analysis module that performs step 310, above.In other embodiments, two analyses modules may be used, one for inputwater and one for treated water. Various embodiments allow water to flowrelatively freely from the input water, through embodiments of thepresent invention, and to the treated water.

Next, the analysis data on the treated water may be sent to the remoteserver in step 370. In some embodiments, the analysis data of the inputand treated water may be sent to the remote server together in thisstep. As mentioned previously, the remote server may take the analysisdata and perform actions asynchronously from the steps described inFIGS. 2A-B. In some embodiments, the water analysis data maybe comparedwith data acquired at other user/customer locations globally, andfeedback to the user/customer as indication of the local water quality.

In various embodiments, a processing module may review the analysis dataof step 360 to determine whether one or more contaminants exceed apredetermined threshold for a contaminant, step 380. For example, basedupon the UV analysis in step 360, it may be determined whethercryptosporidium is detected in the treated water. If not, the treatedwater may be allowed to flow to the user, step 390.

In various embodiments, if one or more contaminants are detected in thetreated water, a notification is made to the water server, step 385, anda determination is made as to whether the UV disinfection or treatmentof step 350 and filtering of step 340 should have remove the impurity,step 395. If so, a determination is made whether the UVdisinfection/treatment module and/or the filtering module of steps 340and 350 need to be replaced, step 400. If so, in step 410, the user maybe directed to replace one or more of these modules, e.g. replace theactivated charcoal filtering mechanism, or the like.

In some embodiments, a determination is made that the treated water isnot able to be treated effectively, the water flow may be stopped, step420. In other embodiments, the treated water may continue to flow to theuser, but the user may be made aware that the treated water is not safeto drink directly out the tap. In some embodiments, one or moreindicator lights may be illuminated to provide the signal to the user.In other embodiments, one or more text messages may automatically besent to the user when the water contains unacceptable levels ofimpurities.

FIG. 3A-B illustrates various embodiments of the present invention. Morespecifically, the processes may be performed by a server associatedmaterial (e.g. water) supplier, a regulation agency, or other thirdparty organization.

As was illustrated in FIG. 1, it is contemplated that multiple usershave embodiments of the present invention, and these multiple performanalyses upon the incoming water (e.g. step 320, FIG. 2A), and reportthe results to the server in step 330, FIG. 2A. In FIG. 3A, the analysesupon the input water is received by the centralized server, step 500.

In various embodiments, the centralized server may determine whetherthere are any positive or negative contamination trends in the waterreceived by users, step 510. In some embodiments, this may also bedetermined based upon currently received data, historical data, and/orother data previously gathered by the centralized server. In variousembodiments, if the impurities/trends do not exceed certain limits, step520, the process may return to monitoring incoming samples.

In various embodiments, when provided water exceeds the standards,notification may be sent to the water supplier management, governmentalauthorities, other monitoring group, water consumers, step 530. Thenotification may be via e-mail, text, text message, phone call, or thelike. As an example, if a factory discharges a hazardous chemical into awater supply, when embodiments of the present invention located at auser's home detect the hazardous chemical, using the steps describedabove, Governmental authorities or the water supplier may activate anemergency notification system to automatically alert water customersthat they should not use the water.

In response to determining there is a problem with the water provided toconsumers, one or more corrective actions may be taken by the watersupplier, step 540, until the water returns to an acceptable waterquality, step 550. Many conventional methods for treat the water, priorto providing to the user, are contemplated, for example, addingadditional chemicals (e.g. chlorine); shifting sources of water (e.g.from lake to well water); locating and reducing of sources ofcontamination (e.g. factories, agricultural run-off, sewage); and thelike. Such actions may be short-range actions and/or long range actions.

As was illustrated in FIG. 1, it is contemplated that multiple usershave embodiments of the present invention, and these multiple performanalyses upon the treated water (e.g. steps 340-350, FIG. 2A), andreport the results to the server in step 385, FIG. 2B. In FIG. 3B, theanalyses upon the input water is received by the centralized server,step 500.

In various embodiments, similar to the steps in FIG. 3A, the centralizedserver may determine whether there are any positive or negativecontamination trends in the water received by users, step 610. In someembodiments, this may also be determined based upon currently receiveddata, historical data, and/or other data previously gathered by thecentralized server. In various embodiments, if the impurities/trends donot exceed certain limits, step 620, the process may return tomonitoring incoming samples.

In various embodiments, when provided water exceeds the standards, thewater supply may be automatically shut-off to one or more watercustomers, step 625. Additionally, notification may be sent to the watersupplier management, governmental authorities, other monitoring group,water consumers, step 630. Again, the notification may be via e-mail,text, text message, phone call, or the like. As an example, if a factorydischarges a hazardous chemical into a water supply, when embodiments ofthe present invention located at a user's home detect the hazardouschemical, within the treated water, Governmental authorities or thewater supplier may activate an emergency notification system toautomatically alert water customers that they should not use the water.In contrast to the process described in FIG. 3A, the focus within FIG.3B is water that cannot be effectively treated by embodiments of thepresent invention.

In response to determining there is a problem with the water provided toconsumers, one or more corrective actions may be taken by the watersupplier, step 640, until the water returns to an acceptable waterquality, step 650. In the short range, this may include replacing thewater purification portions of embodiments of the present invention, ateach water customer site. For example, replacing activated carbonfilters, replacing particulate filters, adding additional UV lightsources, and the like, step 660. Many conventional methods for treat thewater, prior to providing to the user, are also contemplated, forexample, adding additional chemicals (e.g. chlorine); shifting sourcesof water (e.g. from lake to well water); locating and reducing ofsources of contamination (e.g. factories, agricultural run-off, sewage);and the like.

In various embodiments, device 140 in FIG. 1 may be embodied as a watertreatment device such as a water filter in a garage or under the sink, atable top device, a water pitcher, a water bottle (e.g. sports bottle)or the like. As an example, a water pitcher or water bottle may be basedupon the design described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,816,300 issued Aug. 26,2014 and assigned to the present assignee.

FIG. 4 illustrates a functional block diagram of various embodiments ofthe present invention. In FIG. 4, a device 700 typically includes anapplications processor 710, memory 720, a display or other visualindicator 740, water analysis module 750, physical and chemicalpurification modules 760, UV purification modules 770, a treated waterholding tank 730, and the like. Remote communications from and to device700 can be provided by alternatively provided by a wired interface 775,a GPS/Wi-Fi/Bluetooth interface 780, RF interfaces 790, or the like. Asillustrated, the above modules may communicate via an internalcommunication mechanism.

Typically, computing device 700 may include one or more processors 710.Such processors 710 may also be termed application processors, and mayinclude a processor core, a video/graphics core, and other cores.Processors 710 may be a processor from Apple (51), Intel (Quark SE),NVidia (Tegra K1, X1), Marvell (Armada), Qualcomm (Snapdragon), Samsung,TI (OMAP), or the like. In various embodiments, the processor core maybe an Intel processor, an ARM Holdings processor such as the Cortex-A,-M, -R or ARM series processors, or the like. Other processingcapability may include audio processors, interface controllers, and thelike. It is contemplated that other existing and/or later-developedprocessors may be used in various embodiments of the present invention,including processors having greater processing capability (e.g. IntelCore)

In various embodiments, memory 720 may include different types of memory(including memory controllers), such as flash memory (e.g. NOR, NAND),pseudo SRAM, DDR SDRAM, or the like. Memory 720 may be fixed withincomputing device 700 or removable (e.g. SD, SDHC, MMC, MINI SD, MICROSD, CF, SIM). The above are examples of computer readable tangible mediathat may be used to store embodiments of the present invention, such ascomputer-executable software code (e.g. firmware, application programs),application data, operating system data or the like. It is contemplatedthat other existing and/or later-developed memory and memory technologymay be used in various embodiments of the present invention.

In various embodiments, display 730 may be based upon a variety ofcurrent or later display technology including displays havingtouch-response, (e.g. resistive displays, capacitive displays, opticalsensor displays, electromagnetic resonance, or the like). Anylater-developed or conventional output display technology may be usedfor the output display, such as TFT-LCD, OLED, Plasma, trans-reflective(Pixel Qi), electronic ink (e.g. electrophoretic, electrowetting,interferometric modulating). In various embodiments, the resolution ofsuch displays and the resolution of such touch sensors may be set basedupon engineering or non-engineering factors (e.g. sales, marketing). Insome embodiments of the present invention, a display output port, suchas an HDMI-based port or DVI-based port may also be included.

In some embodiments of the present invention, water analysis module 750may include multiple UV-LED light sources, each having unique UV lightoutput frequencies, and one or more optical sensors. In variousembodiment, UV-LED light sources have a relative narrow output peak(e.g. on the order of 20 nm), and are embodied as UV-LEDs currentlybeing developed by the current assignee of the present application. Thenarrow output peaks allows embodiments of the present invention todifferentiate between different types of contaminants and impurities.For example 210 nm to 250 nm range can detect Nitrites (NO2) andNitrates (NO3), 250 nm to 380 nm can detect Total Organic Carbon (TOC),Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD),Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Color (Hazen), Assimilable OrganicCarbon (AOC, 240 nm and 300 nm range can detect Ozone, 360 to 395 nm candetect Benzene, Toluene and Xylene (BTX) and Turbidity (NTU) and thelike. In some embodiments, a single water analysis module 750 may onlyanalyze purified water, or may analyze incoming and purified water. Inother embodiments, two water analysis modules 750 are provided, one forincoming water, and one for purified (treated) water.

In various embodiments, mechanical/chemical purification module 760 mayinclude one or more porous membranes to filter-out contaminantsparticles suspended in the water. Additionally, module 760 may includeany number of chemicals to reduce chemical contaminants in the water. Insome examples, module 760 may include an activated charcoal filter toreduce chlorine and TOC (total organic carbon), DOC (dissolved organiccarbon), COD (chemical oxygen demand), TOC, DOC and COD and the like. Invarious embodiments, incoming water is treated with module 760 prior totreatment with UV module 770.

In various embodiments, UV module 770 may be expose the water todifferent ranges of UV light to destroy different types of pathogens.For example, UV light in the 214 nm range is used to destroy MS2coliphage, UV light in the 265 nm range is used to destroy B. subtilisand the like. In some embodiments, UV module 770 may also includeembodiments of UV-LEDs under development by the current assignee. Suchembodiments may directly target the pathogens determined in wateranalysis module 750 on the incoming water. For example, if only B.subtilis is detected in module 750, only UV-LEDs having an output rangeof about 260 nm to about 270 nm can be activated, to attack the B.subtilis. In other embodiments, a broad-band UV light source, e.g.medium pressure UV bulb may also be used, to purify the water,regardless of whether any pathogens are detected.

In some embodiments, a photo detector, such as a photodiode, or a PMT(photomultiplier), or a spectrometer, can be used in the system tomonitor optical signal generated by the UV-LED when transmitted throughthe water.

In some embodiments, GPS receiving capability may also be included invarious embodiments of the present invention, however is not required.The GPS functionality may provide the remote server with the geographiclocation of device 700. Any number of MEMS sensors, e.g. accelerometer,gyroscope, pressure sensors, or the like, may also be included to helpestimate water consumption data. Some water consumption data may bebased upon when and how long is the bottle or pitcher is tilted downinto a water dispensing position, how much pressure is placed uponpressure sensors on the bottom of the water storage portion before andafter consumption (indicating how much water is remaining and/orindicating how much UV-C light is required to sanitize the remainingwater), and the like. In other embodiments, these sensors (e.g.accelerometers) can be used to help determine how long water has beensitting in the water storage, considering or ignoring UV sanitation. Infurther embodiments, other types of sensors may also be incorporated,such as humidity sensors, temperature sensors, user heart-beat sensors,and the like. In various embodiments, the above data or conclusionsderived from the above data (e.g. how long has the water been sitting inthe bottle) may be provided to a remote device, as discussed above.

FIG. 4 is representative of one computing device 700 capable ofembodying the present invention. It will be readily apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art that many other hardware and softwareconfigurations are suitable for use with the present invention.Embodiments of the present invention may include at least some but neednot include all of the functional blocks illustrated in FIG. 4. Further,it should be understood that multiple functional blocks may be embodiedinto a single physical package or device, and various functional blocksmay be divided and be performed among separate physical packages ordevices.

Further embodiments can be envisioned to one of ordinary skill in theart after reading this disclosure. For example, device 700 may bepowered by any number of sources 800 including: AC from a wall outlet,solar-derived power, battery, manual crank or the like. As one example,a side wall of a portable water bottle may include solar cells, foron-the go charging.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of another embodiment of the presentinvention. In this example, a portable water bottle 810 is illustrated.Water bottle 810 includes an external housing having an opening 830, andan inner watertight housing 840. External housing may be a metal ormetal alloy, glass, a translucent material, or other UV blockingmaterial. In some embodiments, opening 830 may include a filter 835(e.g. carbon, charcoal, etc.) for incoming water. In various examples,as mentioned above, inner housing 840 may include a coating of acatalyst, such as TiO2, or the like. In some embodiments, a UV reactivematerial is not used, and the inner wall may be formed from UVreflective material, e.g. stainless steel, aluminum, coated glass; orthe like. The inner housing 840 may include a UV fluorescent materialregion 850, a UV transmissive region 860, an a photo detector 870. Invarious embodiments, electronic components are disposed in a bottomportion 930 of water bottle 810. As was discussed above, variouscomponents may be provided, such as a processor 940, a power supply 950,a wired or wireless communication interface 960, LED drivers 970, andone or more UV-LEDs 980. In various embodiments, UV-LEDs 980 may includeUV-A and/or UV-B LEDs or the like.

In various embodiments, as illustrated, in response to UV illumination880, UV fluorescent material 850 provides visible light 890, which canbe seen by a user. In some embodiments, material 850 may be in the shapeof a logo, pattern, special design, or the like. The design would appearto glow when UV illumination 880 was present. Additionally, in responseto UV illumination 900, the catalyst on inner housing 840 generatesreactive oxygen species 910 within the liquid (e.g. water) 920.Additionally, as illustrated, UV or white light illumination 990 passesthrough liquid 920 and strikes photo detector (photo diode orspectrometer) 870. In various embodiments discussed above, the intensityof light indicates the clarity or turbidity of liquid 920. In someembodiments, various types of optical properties may be measured, suchas optical transmission, optical absorption, optical reflectance, andoptical fluorescence, and the like. Depending upon the intensity ofdetected light, the time for the UV sanitizing process may be modified(e.g. increased or decreased); the intensity of the UV LEDs may bemodified; the UV sanitizing process may be aborted; and the like.

In various embodiments, water bottle 810 may transmit the turbiditydata, the UV sanitization parameters, and the like through wirelessinterface 960 to a remote destination. For example, the data may be sentto a third-party remote server; to a user's smart device or homecomputer; or the like.

In other embodiments, combinations or sub-combinations of the abovedisclosed invention can be advantageously made. For example, in FIG. 5,one or more UV wave guides may extend from the bottom surface of innerhousing 840 into liquid 920. Such embodiments could increase thediffusion of UV light within inner housing 840. In another embodiment,the filter in the filtration process may include TiO2 material inside,where upon water will flow through the filter and be exposed to thesurface of the TiO2 material (TiO2 nano particle, thin film, microsphere, powder, etc.) UV light may be optionally delivered to the TiO2material located inside the filter via light guiding technology, such asoptical fiber or optical light guide blades. Such embodiments willincrease the surface area of the TiO2 material exposed to the liquid,thus the oxidation capability will increase.

FIGS. 6A-C illustrate additional embodiments of the present invention.More specifically, FIG. 6A illustrates a water bottle 1000 embodiment, awater pitcher 1010 embodiment, as well as a charging dock 1020. Invarious embodiments, water bottle 1000 and water pitcher 1010 mayinclude some or all of the features or functions illustrated in FIG. 5,above, and any other feature described herein.

In FIGS. 6B and 6C, water bottle 1000 and water pitcher 1010 eachinclude a respective UV base portion 1020 and 1030, including respectiveactivation (e.g. ON switch) buttons 1040 and 1050. Additionally, waterbottle 1000 and water pitcher 1010 include a plurality of respectiveregions 1060 and 1070 and 1080 and 1090 that are visual indicationregions, as will be described below. Further, respective side-wallsections 1100 and 1110 are illustrated, and respectively topped with ascrew-on cap 1120 and a pitcher lid 1130.

In various embodiments, UV base portions 1020 and 1030 may include acharging interface, electronic circuitry, as well as LEDs, illustratedin FIG. 5. For example, in some embodiments, UV base portions 1020 and1030 may include electronic circuitry such as a power supply, e.g.battery, a processor and memory; UV and visible light LEDs and drivers,buttons 1040 and 1050 (or switches, etc.). In other embodiments,wireless interfaces may be provided to communicate data from waterbottle 1000 and water pitcher 1010 to a remote device (e.g. remoteserver, smart device, etc.). In other embodiments, water quality sensorsmay also be provided, for the purposes described above.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 6A, dock 1020 includes a portion 2040that protrudes upward. Further, water bottle 1000 and water pitcher 1010are physically configured to have an indent under the respective UV baseportion 1020 and 1030 into which portion 2040 protrudes when waterbottle 1000 or water pitcher 1010 are placed upon dock 1020. In someembodiments, portion 1140 may include electrodes that provide chargingpower to water bottle 1000 or water pitcher 1010; and in otherembodiments, dock 1020 provides wireless charging functionality forwater bottle 1000 and water pitcher 1010. In still other embodiments,dock 1020 may include a wired or wireless interface to enable waterbottle 1000 and water pitcher 1010 to communicate to a remote device. Inone example, usage data, etc. of water bottle 1000 or water pitcher 1010from the last time these devices were docked to dock 1020 may bedownloaded into dock 1020 when these devices are placed or dockedthereto. This data may include number of UV sterilization cycles; anapproximate amount of water consumed (e.g. based upon UV sterilizationcycles, physical perturbations (as sensed by MEMS accelerometers or thelike within UV base portions); time of day water is consumed; waterquality data (described above); and the like. The data may then beuploaded to the remote device via dock 1020.

FIGS. 7A-B illustrates an example according to various embodiments ofthe present invention. More specifically, FIGS. 7A-B illustrate close-upviews of a water pitcher 1200. In FIG. 7A, portions of water pitcher areillustrated and include a lid 1210 with a flap 1220, an incoming waterportion 1230, a filter cartridge and filter cartridge holder 1240, a UVbase portion 1250, a visual indicator portion 1260, and a storageportion 1270.

As illustrated in the example in FIG. 7B, filter cartridge and filtercartridge holder 1240 includes a handle 1290 and has a geometric shapethat substantially matches a shape of incoming water portion 1230, suchthat holder 1240 can be disposed in the bottom of incoming water portion1230. As illustrated in this example, the filter cartridge holder 1240has a crescent-moon shape, although other shapes may also be used. Invarious embodiments, the filter cartridge and filter cartridge holder140 may be manufactured from a UV transmissive material such that UVlight within the water pitcher can prevent contaminants, biofilms, orthe like from forming upon various surfaces of the filter cartridge orfilter cartridge holder 140.

In various embodiments, incoming water portion 1230 also has a geometricshape that substantially matches a shape of the storage portion 1270,such that incoming water portion 1230 can sit approximately flush to atop lip 1280 of storage portion 1270. In various embodiments, incomingwater portion 1230 includes a rounded over lip 1290 that is used tosecure incoming water portion 1230 to lip 1280. In some embodiments,incoming water portion 1230 is formed of UV blocking material, e.g.Plexiglas, Lexan, or the like, and in other embodiments, incoming waterportion 1230 allows some UV to be transmitted. In such embodiments, UVlight within the water pitcher can prevent contaminants, biofilms, orthe like from forming upon these surfaces, yet inhibit UV from reachingthe user. Additionally, the material may be transparent, translucent oropaque to visible light in other embodiments. As will be discussedfurther below, in some embodiments, incoming water portion 1230 canreceive visible light provided by UV base portion 1250, and direct thevisible light outwards to the user, in a similar manner as visualindicator portion 1260.

In some embodiments, storage portion 1270 is detachable from UV baseportion (typically including visual indicator portion 1260). In thisexample, when detached, storage portion 1270 may appears to a user to bea hollow tube that typically changes in shape and size in the verticaldirection. In some embodiments, the interior of storage portion 1270 isformed from a UV reflective material such as stainless steel, aluminum,glass, Teflon, or the like. In some other embodiments, the interior ofstorage portion 1270 may be coated with a UV reactive material, such asTiO2, discussed above, to promote the formation of reactive ion speciesat the side-wall and to inhibit growth of contaminants.

As will be illustrated below, UV base portion 1250 is typically securedto storage portion 1270 by a series of screw-type threads on the outsideof UV base portion 1250 and on the interior of storage portion 1270.Other mechanisms for attaching storage portion 1270 to UV base portion1250 are contemplated, such as screw-type threads on the exterior ofstorage portion 1270 and in an interior of UV base portion 1250; via theuse of rubber gaskets and compression fittings and or latches; or thelike. In various embodiments, the seal between UV base portion 1250 andstorage portion 1270 should be water-tight.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example according to various embodiments of thepresent invention. More specifically, FIG. 8 illustrates close-up viewsof a water bottle 1300. In FIG. 8, portions of water bottle areillustrated and include a screw-in top 1310, a UV base portion 1320, avisual indicator portion 1330, and a storage portion 1340.

In some embodiments, storage portion 1340 is detachable from UV baseportion 1320 (typically including visual indicator portion 1330). Inthis example, when detached, storage portion 1340 also appears to be ahollow tube that typically changes in shape and size in the verticaldirection as shown. In some embodiments, the interior of storage portion1340 is formed from a UV reflective material such as stainless steel,aluminum, glass, Teflon, or the like. In some other embodiments, theinterior wall of storage portion 1340 may be coated with a UV reactivematerial, such as TiO2, discussed above. Storage portion 1340 typicallyincludes an exterior wall also formed from material such as stainlesssteel, aluminum, plastic, or the like. Typically the exterior wall isseparated from the interior wall by insulation, a vacuum, or the like.

As will be illustrated below, UV base portion 1320 is typically securedto storage portion 1340 by a series of screw-type threads on the outsideof UV base portion 1320 and on the interior of storage portion 1340.Other mechanisms for attaching storage portion 1340 to UV base portion1320 are also contemplated, as discussed above. In various embodiments,the seal between UV base portion 1320 and storage portion 1350 shouldalso be water-tight. In light of the above, these mechanisms allow UVbase portion 1320 to be separated from storage portion 1340 and allow UVbase portion 1320 to be tightly coupled to storage portion 1340.

In some embodiments of the present invention, an upper lip portion 1350of storage portion 1340 may include a ring of material 1360. In someembodiments, the ring of material 1360 is formed of UV blockingmaterial, e.g. Plexiglas, Lexan, or the like. Additionally, the materialmay be transparent, translucent or opaque to visible light in otherembodiments. As will be discussed further below, in some embodiments,ring of material 1360 can receive visible light provided by UV baseportion 1320, and direct the visible light outwards to the user, in asimilar manner as visual indicator portion 1330. In other embodiments, aring of material 1370 may alternatively be disposed upon screw-in top1310. As above, ring of material 1370 is typically formed of UV blockingmaterial, e.g. Plexiglas, Lexan, or the like, while remainingtransparent, translucent or opaque to visible light. Additionally, whenscrew-in top 1310 is secured to the upper lip portion 1350, ring ofmaterial 1370 may also receive visible light provided by UV base portion1320, and direct the visible light outwards to the user, in a similarmanner as visual indicator portion 1330.

In various embodiments, the design and cross-section shape of storageportion 1110 or storage portion 1100 may change versus height, i.e. itis not expected that storage portion 1270 or 1100 will be a perfectcylinder in some embodiments. As illustrated in the above figures, aspecific design typically includes an approximately cylindrical baseportion (or a truncated cone or an inverted truncated cone); aring-shaped portion on top of the base portion that outputs illuminationin different animated patterns (as will be illustrated below); and for apitcher: a curved design for the storage portion having a smoothlyformed spout; a handle attached to the storage portion; and asemi-circular or semi-ovoid-shape portion on top of the storage portionthat also outputs illumination in different animated patterns; and for abottle: an approximately cylindrical design that tapers near the topopening; a ring-shaped portion on the top opening that also outputsillumination in different animated patterns; and a bottle top havingsmoothly formed opening. In other embodiments only a sub-set of thesedesign elements may be considered with the scope of the designs herein.For example, a water pitcher or a water bottle having an invertedtruncated cone shape for a base portion (e.g. 1030, 1020) and aring-shaped illumination portion (e.g. 1080, 1060) on top of the baseportion that provides animated or static illumination may be consideredwith the scope of embodiments of designs of the present invention. Asanother example, a design may include those elements mentionedimmediately above, including another illumination portion (e.g. 1090,1070) of the top of the sidewalls that also provides animated or staticillumination.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example according to various embodiments of thepresent invention. More specifically, FIG. 9 illustrates a close-upviews of a top view of a UV base portion 1400. In this example, UV baseportion 1400 includes a UV-C light source 1410, multiple visible lightsources 1420, a visual indicator portion 1440, and external threads1450. In various embodiments of the present invention, UV-C light source1410 includes UV-C LEDs mounted upon a substrate provided by theassignee of the present invention. In other embodiments, UV-C lightsource 1410 may have a different appearance, depending upon the specificmanufacturer.

In various embodiments, visual indication portion 1440 may be formedfrom a UV blocking material, e.g. Plexiglas, Lexan, or the like.Additionally, visual indication portion 1440 may be transparent,translucent or opaque to visible light. In various embodiments, visualindication portion 1440 receives visible light from multiple visiblelight sources 1420 and directs the visible light radially outwards tothe user. In this embodiment, visual indication portion 1440 includesexternal threads 1450 enabling UV base portion 1400 to be coupled tothreads of a water storage portion, as discussed above.

In some embodiments of the present invention, UV-C light source 1410 andmultiple visible light sources 1420, as well as other electronics andpower supplies noted above, are electrically sealed within UV baseportion 1400. A substantially UV transparent material, e.g. glass,quartz, sapphire, or the like may be used to protect the components fromUV base portion 1400 from water sitting on UV base portion 1400. Inanother embodiments, a substantially UV transparent material is disposedprimarily above UV-light source 1410, and cheaper material, e.g. Lexanis disposed over the other regions of UV base portion 1400, e.g.multiple visible light sources, etc. Buttons, power connections, and thelike on UV base portion 1400 may also be protected from water viagaskets, rubberized or inductive switches, and the like. In someembodiments, instead of UV base portion 1400 having a transparentwindow, the water storage portions may have bottoms formed fromsubstantially UV transparent material, e.g. glass, quartz, sapphire, orthe like. The water storage portions thus resemble a cup or container.This transparent bottom then protects UV base portion 1400 from waterdamage. In still other embodiments, to further decrease potential waterdamage to UV base portion 1400, both UV base portion 1400 and waterstorage portions incorporate UV transparent material to protect waterfrom UV base portion 1400.

In various examples, UV-C light source 1410 and visible light sources1420 are illustrated disposed upon a material, such as stainless steel,aluminum, or the like, such that UV-C or visible light generated bythese sources that is directed radially outwards is redirected generallyupwards.

In various embodiments, multiple visible light sources 1420 aretypically visible light LEDs and can be individually driven oraddressed. In some examples, LEDs from light sources 1420 may have asimilar wavelength or have different wavelengths of outputs (e.g. R, G,B). Accordingly, to a user, many different colors of light can beproduced with different combinations of LED intensity. In someembodiments, the apparent color of light may be programmed by a user tohelp differentiate users' water bottles. For example, a mother's waterbottle may be programmed to output a teal color, a daughter's waterbottle may be programmed to output a pink color, a son's water bottlemay be programmed to output a red color, and the like.

In some embodiments, an output color for multiple visible light sources1420 serve as visual indicators to a user. For example, when a UVsanitization process is occurring, light sources 1420 may provide bluecolored light; when water has not been sanitized, light sources 1420 mayprovide red colored light; when the water has been sanitized, lightsources 1420 may provide green colored light; when the water bottle isalmost empty, light sources 1420 may provide not output or brown coloredlight; and the like.

In various embodiments, multiple visible light sources 1420 arecontrolled commonly. As an example, when the water level within thewater bottle is low, light sources 1420 may blink on and off at the sametime; when the water has not been sanitized, light sources 1420 mayblink on and off at the same time for a first number of times, and thenstay on for a second period of time. The rate of blinking or alternationof on and off may provide the user with visual indications of status ofthe water bottle, or the like. As examples, during UV sanitation, therate of blinking on and off of light sources 1420 may indicate how closeto complete the process is, e.g. slower blinking rate at the beginning,faster blinking rate near the end, and solid on after completion; therate of blinking or intensity of light sources 1420 may indicate thestatus of the power source within UV base portion 1400, e.g. a high dutycycle or rate of blinking when the battery is fully charged (e.g.appearance of a fast heart beat), a low duty cycle or rate of blinkingrate when the battery is lower (e.g. appearance of a slower heart beat),and no light, when the battery is insufficient to perform a UVsterilization cycle (e.g. solid on or off).

In additional embodiments, multiple visible light sources 1420 may becontrolled individually thus multiple patterns of blinking as well asintensity are enabled. As an example, when the water level within thewater bottle is low, light sources 1420 may slowly turn on and off insuccession around UV base portion 1400 (e.g. clock-wise or counterclock-wise); when the water has not been sanitized, every other lightsource from light sources 1420 may turn-on and off out of phase (e.g.odd light sources are turned on while even light sources are turned off,then even light sources are turned on while odd light sources are turnedoff); etc. The rate of blinking or alternation of on and off may alsoprovide the user with visual indications of status of the water bottle.As examples, during UV sanitation, the rate of blinking on and off oflight sources 1420 in succession may indicate how close to complete theprocess is, e.g. slower successive turning on and off rate of LEDs atthe beginning, faster successive turning on and off rate of LEDs nearthe end, and solid on after completion; the rate of blinking orintensity of light sources 1420 may also indicate the status of thepower source within UV base portion 1400, e.g. faster turning on and offof LEDs when the battery is fully charged, slower turning on and off ofLEDs when the battery is lower, and no light or solid light, when thebattery is insufficient to perform a UV sterilization cycle.

In still other embodiments, the number of LEDs in visible light sources1420 indicates progress of a UV sanitation cycle. As an example, when aUV sanitation cycle is initiated, a few LEDs of light sources 1420 areturned on and remain on, as the UV sanitation continues, more and moreLEDs of light sources 1420 are turned on and remain on, and as the UVsanitation completes, all of the LEDs of light sources 1420 are turnedon and remain on. A user can thus readily see the progress of a UVsanitation cycle. Alternatively, all LEDs in visible light sources 1420are initially turned on, and as UV sanitation progresses, particularLEDs are turned off, until no LEDs remain on (UV sanitation completed).

In light of the above disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art willunderstand that many different combinations of the above visual feedbacktechniques are possible as well as other visual techniques notspecifically discussed herein and are all contemplated in embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 10A-H illustrate design embodiments of the present invention. Morespecifically, each of FIGS. 10A-H illustrate pairs of views (e.g. frontviews 1500 and rear views 1510) of a water storage device according tovarious embodiments of the present invention at the same time. FIGS.10A-H illustrate the views with respect to time while performing anoperation, e.g. a UV sanitizing cycle. In FIG. 10A. after initiation ofthe operation a first subset of LEDs 1520 are activated; in FIG. 10B, astime progresses, the first subset or a portion thereof is deactivatedand a second subset of LEDs 1530 are activated. It should be understoodthat, LEDs may be part of multiple subsets, such as first subset 1520,second subset 1530, or the like; or LEDs may belong to only one subset.In FIG. 10C, a third subset of LEDs 1540 are then activated inprogression, and continues to the rear side of the water storage device.As illustrated in FIGS. 10D-10F, additional subsets of LEDs 1550, 1560and 1570 are activated on the rear sided of the water storage device,and various LEDs are deactivated, as shown. In FIG. 10G, a subsequentset of LEDs 1580 are then activated, and progresses back to the frontside of the water storage device. Next, in FIG. 10H, LEDs 1590 are thenactivated on the front side of the water storage device. In variousembodiments, the process of FIGS. 10A-10H may then be repeated; theprocess of FIGS. 10A-10H may be reversed; or the like. It should beunderstood that the inactivated LEDs may also appear to rotate about thebase. Although illustrated as a water pitcher, embodiments of thepresent invention may be implemented as a water bottle, as illustratedin FIG. 6C. Additionally, in various design embodiments, an upperindicator region may also be provided that has the similar lightingpatterns as described above.

FIGS. 11A-H illustrate design embodiments of the present invention. Morespecifically, each of FIGS. 11A-H illustrate pairs of views (e.g. frontviews 1600 and rear views 1610) of a water storage device according tovarious embodiments of the present invention at the same time. FIGS.11A-H illustrate the views with respect to time while performing anoperation, e.g. a UV sanitizing cycle. In FIG. 11A. after initiation ofthe operation a first subset of LEDs 1620 are activated; in FIG. 11B, astime progresses, the first subset and a second subset of LEDs 1530 areactivated. In FIG. 11C, a third subset of LEDs 1640 are then activatedwhich continues to the rear side of the water storage device, while thefirst and second subset of LEDs remain activated. As illustrated inFIGS. 11D-11F, additional subsets of LEDs 1650, 1660 and 1670 areactivated on the rear sided of the water storage device, while theprevious LEDs remain activated, as shown. In FIG. 11G, a subsequent setof LEDs 1680 are then activated on the front side of the water storagedevice. Next, in FIG. 11H, LEDs 1690 are then activated on the frontside of the water storage device. In various embodiments, the process ofFIGS. 11A-11H may then be repeated; the process of FIGS. 11A-11H may bereversed; or the like. It should be understood that the inactivated LEDsmay appear to shrink about the base. Although illustrated as a waterpitcher, embodiments of the present invention may be implemented as awater bottle, as illustrated in FIG. 6C. Additionally, in various designembodiments, an upper indicator region may also be provided that has thesimilar lighting patterns as described above.

As discussed above, the activation (and/or deactivation) of various ofthe LEDs may indicate many different operations, such as to indicate:that UV sanitation is occurring, the percentage progress of the UVsanitation process, the amount of battery life left, that communicationwith a remote server is occurring, the amount of time since the laststerilization process, and the like. Additionally, the color may alsoindicate various information such as: blue to indicate a sanitizingprocess is occurring, red for unsanitized water, green for sanitizedwater, brown for low power, and the like. Various combinations ofactivation/deactivation of lights in other types of patterns, and withvarious indicator colors is contemplated to be within the scope ofembodiments of the present invention.

In various embodiments of the present invention, for example in the caseof a UV sterilization bottle or a UV pitcher, as illustrated above, theUV sterilization cycle may be initiated upon a variety of conditions,such as: a user pushing a button on the device; the device automaticallysensing when the bottle or pitcher are filled with water (e.g. apressure sensor sensing an amount of water in the bottle or pitcher);automatically sensing when the lid or cap is removed (e.g. the userfilling up with new water, the user drinking water and producingbackwash, etc.); the processor determining that an amount of time haselapsed without the water being changed or sterilized (e.g. refreshingthe water with another sterilization process (e.g. 2 minutesterilization) every 5 hours, etc.); the user initiating a sterilizationprocess via pressing a button on a remote device (e.g. cell phone, smartdevice) and having the remote device communicate with the water pitcheror bottle; and the like.

In other embodiments of the present invention, additional design andfunctional features may be added. For example, the water storage portionof a water pitcher or water bottle may include a vertical slit runningtop to bottom and sealed with a plastic or glass insert. In suchexamples, the user may visually ascertain the amount of water storedwith the pitcher and water bottle. A suitable design may appear asconstant thickness or changing thickness stripe running down the side ofthe pitcher or water bottle, or the like.

FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. Morespecifically, FIG. 12 illustrates a storage portion in the form of abottle 1200, e.g. a baby bottle, a sports bottle, or the like, having abottom formed of a UV transparent material 1210 that rests upon acradle-like structure 1220 on a UV base portion 1230. Similar to theembodiment illustrated above and in FIG. 5, UV base portion 1230includes the UV light source (UV LEDs) 1290 and optionally otherfunctional blocks, such as a processor 1240, a power source 1250, awireless communication portion 1260, and LED drivers 1270. In thisembodiment, bottle 1200 can be set down upon UV base portion 1230 forsanitizing the liquid 1205 contents of bottle 1200 (e.g. milk, water,juice, sports drinks, etc.), and then separated from UV base portion1230 for use (e.g. a baby or person drinking). In some embodiments, UVbase portion 1230 may include a UV transparent material 1280 betweenbottle 1200 and UV light source 1290, although some embodiments maydispense with UV transparent material 1280.

Similar to embodiments described above, UV light 1300 may shine intobottle 1200 and sanitize or otherwise react with the liquid. UV light1300 may illuminate the liquid upon demand or periodically. Morespecifically, UV light 1300 provided by UV base portion 1230 can be usedto help facilitate sanitation (e.g. sanitize, periodically keep fresh)of the contents of bottle 1200, and/or UV light 1300 provided by UV baseportion 1230 may modify (e.g. form reactive ion species, or the like)the contents of the bottle. For example, while bottle 1200 is cradledupon UV base portion 1230, every 30 minutes UV light 1300 may shine intobottle 1200 for a minute. This periodic illumination of the liquid withUV light 1300 maintains sanitation of the liquid, according to studiesconducted by the inventors of the present invention. In variousembodiments, UV light 1300 may be within the UV-C frequency range.Additionally or alternatively, in various embodiments, UV LED 1290 mayinclude a UV-B LED, thus UV light 1300 may within the UV-B frequencyrange.

In other embodiments, additional features may be included. In oneexample, one or more pressure sensors may be provided into UV baseportion 1230 so that the weight of bottle 1200 (e.g. baby bottle) beforeand after being used may be measure. The difference in weight may beused by processor 1240 to determine an approximate amount of liquid(e.g. water, juice, milk or the like) that is consumed. The consumptionmay then be recorded with respect to time and reported from UV baseportion 1230 via wireless communication portion 1260 to a remote device(e.g. server, smart device, etc.), as was described above.

In some embodiments, UV light 1300 provided by UV base portion 1230 canbe used to analyze various parameters (e.g. opacity) of the contents1205 of the bottle (e.g. water, juice, milk, or the like). In someembodiments, a built-in opacity detector determines the opacity of theliquid present, e.g. milk, water, juice, etc. Based upon the opacity,the processor may increase or decrease a UV exposure time, increase ordecrease a UV light intensity (e.g. 100%, 50%, etc.), or the like. Forexample, if the liquid 1205 is more opaque than water, UV light 1300 mayhave a higher intensity, a longer exposure time, a more frequent refreshschedule, and the like. In some embodiments, a detector 1215 similar todetector 870 illustrated in FIG. 5 may be used to determine opacity ofthe liquid. In FIG. 12, detector 1215 is illustrated on the side ofbottle 1200, however the positioning of a UV-LED source and thepositioning of the detector may vary according to engineering factors.

In some embodiments, to facilitate UV light 1300 exposure to liquids,especially liquids more opaque than water, a user may be instructed toperiodically mechanically shake bottle 1200, e.g. in a stirring or arotating motion, such that more of liquid 1205 stored therein can beexposed to UV light 1300. By ensuring that different portions of liquid1205 are exposed to UV light 1300, liquid 1205 can be more thoroughlysanitized. In one example, UV base portion 1230 or a smart device mayvisually indicate to a user that bottle 1200 should be shaken or stirredvia an LED light or text output screen. After the user does thismechanical agitation and replaces bottle 1200 onto UV base portion 1230,an additional UV light exposure cycle can be performed. After thesanitation cycle completes, the sanitation of liquid 1205, e.g. milk, isincreased, and the milk can be consumed. In some embodiments, amechanical agitator, 1310 may be incorporated into bottle 1200 and becontrolled by UV base portion 1230. In one example, mechanical agitator1310 may periodically stir liquid 1205 within bottle 1200 during a UVcycle so that the liquid may be uniformly exposed to UV light 1300. Inanother embodiment, an air bubbler mechanism may be used to agitate theliquid.

The inventors have performed various experiments to demonstrate theefficacy of agitation. In some tests, two chambers were used containing10 liters of water and having a single UV LED at the tops. Next 0.1%Luria broth (LB) was added to the water to decrease the clarity of thewater, e.g. to simulate a light absorbing liquid. This resulted in ameasured penetration depth of the UV light in the sample to be 29%shorter than unfiltered tap water. The liquid in each chamber was thencontaminated with E. coli bacteria to approximately 6.times.10 6 CFU/ml.After providing a series of UV light exposures to the liquid, sampleswere taken from multiple locations in the chambers after each exposure.In the case where no agitation was used during UV exposure, it took 12minutes to reach 6 log 10 disinfection, and there was a large variationin disinfection efficacy across the chamber. In contrast, in the casewhere agitation was used during UV exposure, it took 6 minutes to reach6 log 10 disinfection, and disinfection was uniform across the chamber.

FIG. 13 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG.13, a UV portion 1400 may be disposed above a bottle 1410, and provideUV light 1420 to the liquid 1510, as well as a liquid consumptionstructure 1430 (e.g. nipple, spout, straw, etc.). Similar to theembodiment in FIG. 5, in one embodiment, UV portion 1400 may include aUV sensitive region 1440 that emits visible light 1450 when struck by UVlight 1420. In other embodiments, a visible light LED or the like may beprovided within UV portion 1400 to visually indicate when UV light 1420is being produced. In some embodiments, UV portion 1400 may also includea processor 1460, a power supply 1470, a communications portion 1480, UVLEDs 1500, and LED drivers 1490, having similar functionality describedabove.

The block diagrams of the architecture and flow charts are grouped forease of understanding. However it should be understood that combinationsof blocks, additions of new blocks, re-arrangement of blocks, and thelike are contemplated in alternative embodiments of the presentinvention.

The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It will, however, beevident that various modifications and changes may be made thereuntowithout departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention asset forth in the claims.

1. A liquid treatment device comprising: a UV-LED module configured toprovide UV-B or UV-C band light to liquid; a plurality of LEDsconfigured to provide visible light; a base housing comprising a UVtransmissive material disposed on a portion of the base housing adjacentto the UV-LED module; and a liquid storage portion having a portioncomprising a UV transmissive material, wherein the UV transmissivematerial is configured to allow the UV-B or UV-C band light from theUV-LED module to be transmitted into the liquid.
 2. The liquid treatmentdevice of claim 1, further comprising a user output portion coupled tothe liquid storage portion, wherein the user output portion isconfigured to restrict outflow of the liquid from the liquid storageportion, and wherein the user output portion is selected from a groupconsisting of: a lid, a screw-on cap, a flip-top cap, a flap, a nipple.3. The liquid treatment device of claim 1, wherein the base housing alsocomprises a communication module coupled to the power source and to theprocessor, wherein the communication module is configured to provideusage data to a remote device.
 4. The liquid treatment device of claim1, wherein the base housing further comprises a pressure sensor coupledto the power source and to the processor, wherein the pressure sensor isconfigured to determine weight of the liquid storage housing upon thebase housing.
 5. The liquid treatment device of claim 1, wherein the UVtransmissive material is configured to allow the UV-B or UV-C band lightfrom the UV-LED module to be transmitted outward from the base housing.6. The liquid treatment device of claim 1, further comprising a liquidstorage housing removably couplable to the portion of the base housingcomprising the liquid storage portion configured to hold liquid.
 7. Theliquid treatment device of claim 1, further comprising a processorelectrically coupled to a power source, the UV-LED module, and to theplurality of LEDs, wherein the processor is configured to specifyparameters for power from the power source to the UV-LED module to thepower source, and wherein the processor is configured to specifyparameters for power from the power source to the LED.
 8. The liquidtreatment device of claim 1, wherein and the liquid storage housing isconfigured as a baby bottle; and wherein the base housing comprise acradle adapted to interface to the baby bottle.
 9. The liquid treatmentdevice of claim 1, wherein the liquid storage housing further comprisesa mechanical agitator.
 10. The liquid treatment device of claim 1,wherein the housing can be disposed on top of the liquid storage housingor below the liquid storage portion.
 11. A method for treating milkcomprising: filling a milk container with milk, wherein the milkcontainer includes a UV-LED module configured to provide UV-B or UV-Cband light to liquid; a plurality of LEDs configured to provide visiblelight; a base housing comprising a UV transmissive material disposed ona portion of the base housing adjacent to the UV-LED module; and aliquid storage portion having a portion comprising a UV transmissivematerial, wherein the UV transmissive material is configured to allowthe UV-B or UV-C band light from the UV-LED module to be transmittedinto the milk.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: providingthe milk to the user via a user output portion of the milk container,wherein the user output portion is configured to restrict outflow of themilk from the milk container; and wherein the user output portion isselected from a group consisting of: a nipple, a straw, and a spout. 13.The method of claim 12, further comprising: determining with a pressuresensor in the UV housing, a first weight for the milk container, priorto providing the milk to the user; determining with the pressure sensorin the UV housing, a second weight for the milk container, afterproviding the milk to the user; and determining with the processor inthe UV housing, an approximate consumption amount for the milk.
 14. Themethod of claim 13, further comprising: transmitting the approximateconsumption amount to a remote device, wherein the remote device isselected from a group consisting of: a smart device, a remote server.15. The method of claim 11, further comprising: transmitting indicationthat the UV-B or UV-C band light has been provided to the milk in themilk container to a remote device, wherein the remote device is selectedfrom a group consisting of: a smart device, a remote server.
 16. Themethod of claim 11, wherein the agitating the milk comprises a usermanually agitating the milk container.
 17. The method of claim 11,wherein the agitating the milk comprises activating an agitator in themilk container; and wherein the agitator is selected from a groupconsisting of: a stirring mechanism and a bubbler mechanism.
 18. Themethod of claim 11, further comprising periodically using the processorin the UV housing to provide operating power to the UV-LED module tothereby provide the UV-B or UV-C band light to the milk in the milkcontainer.
 19. The method of claim 11, further comprising: determiningwith an opacity sensor in the UV housing an opacity of the milk; andusing the processor in the UV housing to provide operating power to theUV-LED module in response to the opacity of the milk.
 20. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the milk container comprises a baby bottle; andwherein the coupling the milk container to the UV housing, comprisesplacing the baby bottle upon a top surface of the UV housing.